I don't usually reply with personal experience.  

Pernicious anemia -- deficiency of intrinsic factor, which causes failure of B12 absorption and therefore B12 deficiency -- is in my husband's family.  Sure enough he was diagnosed at age 48.  My very smart doctor tested the rest of us, and my children -- still in their 20's -- are both affected.  Husband and daughter are on shots, son is on oral, because his deficiency is much milder.

Cut to conversation with dear friend who is family physician with HMO in southwest US.  She tells me that the research shows daily oral medication on the order of 1,000 micrograms is as effective in treating B12 deficiency.  I looked this up at one point and verified it, but don't have it at hand.  

Pharmaceutical monographs note that 50-90% of B12 administered (IM or SC) may be excreted in the urine.  Side effects noted for high doses are hives, itching and mild diarrhea.

Judith

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